Did you wake up with a crick in your neck?

What the heck is a “crick in the neck” anyway? You wake up with limited (and painful!) neck movement, usually on one side. Sometimes it just feels stiff, but other times it feels like bone-on-bone contact. Ouch.

Is it a pinched nerve? A slipped disc? While these things are possible (see your doctor if you have recurrent neck pain, or neck pain that includes other symptoms such as fever or shooting pain down the arm), neck cricks are usually due to an unassuming little muscle that runs from the side of your neck to the top of your shoulder blade. It’s called levator scapulae, and it’s responsible for raising your shoulder toward your ear.

This muscle gets irritable when it’s expected to hold heavy purses and backpacks, when you tilt your head to one side a lot (ever use your shoulder to hold your phone?), and when your posture is slouched. When this muscle gets ticked off, it can act like a brick wall that no amount of stretching will fix.

What to do? Ice and heat can help. Start with heat (a heating pad or sock full of uncooked rice, heated in the microwave) for 20 minutes, then switch to an ice pack for 10 minutes. Repeat this a couple of times through your day. You may be tempted to try to stretch it out yourself, but remember that levator scapulae is angry! Anything other than rest and gentle movement might further aggravate the area, increasing the minor crisis that your pain receptors are telling you about.

What else can you do? You guessed it: massage and/or acupuncture. While stretching and pressing on your neck might result in worse pain if you do it yourself, our skilled team at Written on the Body have a few tricks up their sleeves. We can focus on your neck and the surrounding muscles, gently and methodically to help your neck realize it can stop holding so tightly. In some instances adding hot stones or having an infrared sauna session prior to your treatment can facilitate even further healing. If you aren’t sure what approach is right for you, give us a call at 503-473-8515 or email us at wonthebody@gmail.com and we will be happy to help you choose the appropriate treatment path.

Follow this up your appointment with us with some more of that ice and heat, and you should be feeling pretty good by the next day. If you get cricks frequently, come see us regularly and we may be able to prevent them entirely!

Know someone with neck pain? Share this post and let’s get them feeling better!” Need help yourself? Book online now!

We’re Moving! But don’t worry it’s not too far…

Our new address is 2808 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. Suite C, near Bridges and the Nike Store, less than a 10 minute car or bike ride, 20 minute bus ride on the #6 or 30 minute stroll from our Alberta street space. You can get massage, acupuncture and sauna sessions from us at our new location beginning March 9th, 2015 and join us for an afternoon of wellness and grand re-opening party on April 12th! Keep an eye out for our newsletter (text INEEDAMASSAGE to 22828 to sign up today) or follow us on Facebook to stay updated on our latest news and events.

In the meantime here are a few important things you should know about our upcoming move:

We will be closed this Friday 3/6-Sunday 3/8 to move to our new location

We will re-open with our regular schedule on Monday 3/9-check here for openings

We will be calling to remind everyone who is booked over the next month to ensure that you make it to the correct location

There is a parking lot behind our building which you are welcome to park in! There is usually 2 hour parking available in front of our building as well as general parking on NE Stanton (our cross street). We have a back and front entrance so wherever you end up it will be easy to get to us. We are sharing this space with another bodywork studio called Thrive and though we will also have signage, if you see Thrive signs you will know you are at the right place.

We have reception M-F from 10-2:30pm and the doors should always be open during those times, if it is outside of those hours the doors will be locked between appointments. We typically leave 30 minutes between appointments so you shouldn’t have to wait but if you find yourself locked out try hanging out for a few and we should be right with you. If something seems off please give us a call and/or send us a text at: 971-800-1171 so that we can make sure everyone is on the same page.

We will be offering the same attention to quality and care as well as the same great services in our beautiful new space.

What’s next? Time to find freedom from stress, chronic pain and injuries with a massage, acupuncture or infrared sauna session! Click here to book now.

Infrared Sauna Portland, OR

Written on the Body is now offering 30 or 60 minute Infrared Sauna sessions! Here are the in’s and outs of using our infrared sauna:

What is an infrared sauna?

Far Infrared sauna: An infrared sauna uses infrared heaters to emit infrared light experienced as radiant heat which is absorbed by the surface of the skin. Traditional saunas heat the body primary by conduction and convection from the heated air and by radiation of the heated surfaces in the sauna room (Wikipedia). An infrared sauna detoxifies, improves circulation, promotes healing and so much more!

Here is a great article on infrared sauna benefits from the wellness hour: click here to read

Appointments in the infrared sauna at Written on the Body:

Our 1-2 person infrared sauna has been relocated to our larger treatment room which means you can book a sauna appointment along with a massage or acupuncture session and it can all take place in one treatment room!

What is included-

It is optional to bring a swim suit , slippers or flip flops and your favorite tunes or reading material. We provide a cool cloth to towel off with after the sauna session, handmade natural body products, towels to sit on, sweat towels and a speaker with an auxiliary plug. You may bring someone to sauna with you for an extra $5. Please make a note when booking the appointment that you are bringing a guest. 2 people max. *We do not offer a shower at this time

Session pricing-We offer 10 minutes free which can be added to any treatment but it must be booked in advance via email or phone. Please contact us if you want to take advantage of this offer (availability is limited)

A 60 minute sauna session for one person is $25

Add a 30 minute sauna session to any massage or acupuncture appointment for only $20

Buy a 5 pack of sauna sessions for only $90 or a 10 pack for $150!

Sauna Schedule-other times may be available by appointment please call 503.473.8515 or email wonthebody@gmail.com with specific inquiries

Rooftop Massage: we challenge you to Find Peace

…If only for an hour

massage.sauna.relax

Close your eyes and imagine yourself under a clear blue sky, the wind is lightly blowing, rustling the leaves of a nearby bamboo tree. You are completely relaxed, your mind is a bird floating through the sky, the tension you have been holding in your muscles melts away.

You are finding freedom in your body and mind in the comfort of a massage table. You are on a rooftop deck under the canopy of a wooden pergola with flowing white curtains. You have been warmed by an infrared sauna and your mind slowly drifts to the hammock you will enjoy at the end of your treatment.

There is nothing that can shake you, you are in a world of your own choosing.

We challenge you to enjoy peace through massage in Written on the Body’s Rooftop Relaxation area.

Infrared Sauna

Far Infrared sauna: An infrared sauna uses infrared heaters to emit infrared light experienced as radiant heat which is absorbed by the surface of the skin. Traditional saunas heat the body primary by conduction and convection from the heated air and by radiation of the heated surfaces in the sauna room (Wikipedia). An infrared sauna detoxifies, improves circulation, promotes healing and so much more!

Here is a great article on infrared sauna benefits from the wellness hour: click here to read

refresh after your sauna session with a cool shower on our rooftop deck.

Appointments available beginning Mother’s day (Sunday May 11th)!

$25 per half hour for 1-2 people- $20 when added to a massage or acupuncture appointment

5 pack for $100 and 10 pack for $200

Mom’s-take 50% during the month of May *promo code “mom”!

Mom admirer’s take 20% off during the month of May *promo code !

Click here to book
*times are limited but we can accommodate some requests, please email or call if you would like to book a sauna session outside of the online hours or in conjunction with a massage or acupuncture appointment.